Nearly half of Switzerland’s executive positions are held by non-Swiss nationals, proving that the country is a popular destination for highly trained workers from throughout the world. Average Swiss salary, working conditions, and the Swiss standard of living all contribute to making Switzerland an attractive area to seek employment.
Finding employment in Switzerland
The following are some of the methods that can be used to locate employment in this country:
Work abroad
Expatica maintains a comprehensive database of open positions around Switzerland that are suitable for foreigners and English speaking.
Through EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal, EU and EEA nationals can look for employment opportunities. This is an official EU portal that facilitates free travel throughout the European Economic Area. Upload your resume for potential employers to peruse and get help with the paperwork and regulations of finding a job.
Governed resources for finding work
EU/EEA citizens can get assistance finding jobs through the Regional Employment Centres (RAV/ORP/URC) in each of the country’s 26 cantons. You can sign up for an account at your neighborhood branch or browse open positions online in the Job Area.
Switzerland-based online job boards
Numerous websites list general employment opportunities, often with descriptions in both English and for non-native speakers:
- JobUp.
- Jobwinner.
- Monster.
- Work for the season: ski industry employment.
- StepStone.
Employed in Switzerland
There is a lot of competition for jobs here, and prospects are considerably more limited for people who are not citizens of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
However, it is feasible to obtain work in Switzerland, and there is even a limited number of opportunities for English speakers, particularly in industries with severe labor shortages. However, in multicultural Switzerland, the ability to speak the local language is generally a prerequisite for employment.
Switzerland’s labor market
The Swiss economy is robust, and the country’s March 2020 unemployment rate of 4.3% is among the lowest in the world. Nearly half of the unemployed bureaucrats are foreign nationals. About 332,177 cross-border employees were active in the three months ending in June 2020, demonstrating the continued importance of this population. Chemicals, finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, watch manufacturing, and food retail are just a few of Switzerland’s largest and most important high-skilled and professional businesses. Key economic sectors are covered on the Swiss government’s website. Due in significant part to the country’s advantageous tax climate, Switzerland is home to a high number of multinational corporations. With over 323,000 employees, Nestle easily surpasses all other Swiss companies. The Swiss government has enforced quotas on foreign employees from outside the EU and EFTA since 2017. The quotas are revised annually and will be set at 8,500 in 2020.
Open positions in Switzerland
Despite its relatively modest size, Switzerland is a major industrial power with a significant share of its export revenue coming from mechanical/electrical engineering and the chemicals sector. It is also an important economic hub on a global scale. Financial analysts, business analysts, and systems analysts are especially sought after, and they can find work in a variety of industries including engineering and technology, pharmaceuticals, consulting, banking, insurance, and IT.
Compensation for work in Switzerland
Wages here are the highest in the world, and not only in the EU/EFTA. This year in Switzerland, the median gross income was CHF 6,538. Ticino has the lowest average (CHF 5,363) while Zurich has the highest (CHF 6,965).
Although there is no federally mandated minimum wage, certain provisions of law guarantee at least a certain level of pay to all employees. Monthly wages range from CHF 2,200 for unskilled workers to CHF 4,200 for experienced workers.
The Swiss way of work
Swiss business culture is formal and conservative because it reflects the country’s values of sobriety, thrift, tolerance, punctuality, and a sense of responsibility. A Swiss company’s culture may be influenced by its location in Switzerland’s French, German, or Italian-speaking areas. Most organizations have a vertical structure, with power concentrated at the very top. It’s possible that French and Italian businesses are more relaxed than their German counterparts. Tasks take precedence over pleasantries, and conversations are often precise, guarded, and even appear a touch negative. Swiss negotiators are harsh but fair, and jokes are never allowed. 45-50 hour work weeks are not uncommon.
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